Luke Bryan Returning for ‘American Idol’ Season 2

Season 2 of American Idol on ABC was confirmed on Friday afternoon (May 4), and within minutes Luke Bryan confirmed that he's coming back as well. As for the other judges ...

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Ryan Seacrest are also returning next season. "It's all because of you guys, the music fans out there for bringing it back," Bryan told his fans on Twitter. No date has been announced for the start of the show's second season on ABC. Season 1 of American Idol on ABC began in March.

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American Idol made the announcement on Twitter, and within minutes all three judges and Seacrest had confirmed they'd be back as well. The current season is actually the show's 16th total season, but with the move to ABC this year producers reset the season counter, calling what would be Season 17 Season 2.

Country singers have done well on Idol, winning three times (Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery,Trent Harmon) and finishing in the Top 3 multiple other times. This year Gabby Barrett and Caleb Lee Hutchinson are two hopefuls country fans are keeping their eye on and voting for. In addition to the contestants and Bryan, the current season has relied on many country guest stars and mentors, including McCreery, radio deejay Bobby Bones and Sugarland.

The early confirmation that the show and its cast would be returning is counter to how the process has always worked. Typically a season of speculation has come before any confirmation that judges would be returning. This time, producers and the television network chose to keep it drama free.